Freight Shipping Services: Truckload vs. Intermodal
17 Oct 2019 Freight Shipping
Getting to know the differences between truckload and intermodal will help you make an informed decision about which freight shipping service will work best for your particular needs. At C&D Logistics, they understand how choosing the right type of freight shipping can make all the difference in the world. That is why they offer a selection of freight shipping services, including truckload and intermodal shipping services.
Differences Between Truckload & Intermodal Shipping
Some of the differences between truckload and intermodal shipping that you should take into consideration include:
Transit Time
Truckload shipping tends to beat out intermodal in terms of overall transit time because intermodal typically runs the same amount of time as truckload transit plus an additional one to three days if the freight needs to be switched between railroad lines; however, if the freight is being transported on a busy route, using intermodal might be a better option, as it will allow the freight to be transported between locations without having to deal with heavy traffic.
Origin & Destination Pairing
When it comes to selecting the origin and destination pairing for a load of freight, truckload shipping offers far greater flexibility than intermodal. This is because intermodal shipping is stuck using the available intermodal ramp locations, while truckload freight can be shipped almost anywhere.
Flexibility
Compared to truckload shipping, intermodal tends to be much more rigid. If any issues happen on the rail, options will be limited for getting the freight to its destination on time. This is because, in most cases, a car cannot be removed from the train until it arrives at the destination ramp.
Scalability
Intermodal shipping tends to scale far better than truckload shipping because truckload shipments tend to be handled by one truck and one driver from origin to destination, while intermodal shipping can run an average of 280 trucks at once.
Sustainability
In terms of sustainability, intermodal shipping is in a league of its own. Since one train can move an average of 280 trucks, is roughly four times more efficient than truckload shipping, and can move one ton of freight 450 miles on a single gallon of fuel, intermodal shipping is a great option for businesses that are looking to lower their carbon footprint.
If you would like to learn more about the differences between truckload and intermodal shipping, or if you are interested in one of their freight shipping services, please contact C&D Logistics at 604-881-4440 or by filling out a contact form on their website. You can also stay up to date with the latest news by following them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
